“Adversity Happens .Blessings Must Be Discovered, Created and Developed” blessing s blessing s IN ADVERSITY IN ADVERSITY KahunaPower QuickSurf™ E-Book Learn to Discover, Create and Develop . Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities Frank F. Lunn Author of Stack The Logs! Building a Framework to Reach Your Dreams and Carpe Aqualis! “Seize The Wave” – 7 Essential Surfing Skills to Revolutionize Your Business and Personal Life What's an e-book? An e-book is a downloadable, interactive book published in electronic or digital format. So what's the big deal about e-books? Imagine an interactive electronic book that allows you to view video, hear audio or click to any page. Kahuna Empowerment, Inc. e-books currently boast active links, hyperlinked chapters and subheadings, a hyperlinked index and Table of Contents, and even download to your PDA device! Kiss the days of flipping through pages and nasty paper-cuts goodbye! KahunaPower e- books bring the power of quick referencing right to your fingertips . How do I get the most out of my e-book? • Download your e-book from one of our websites and save it to your desktop. • Open the file. Congratulations! You've opened your first e-book. Read below to take advantage of the more advanced features . o Hyperlinked Chapters and Subheadings – Locate the Bookmarks Tab on the left hand side of your screen. Simply click on a chapter and the e- book will move to that specific page. Now click on the (+) symbol that appears next to each chapter and a list of subheadings will appear. By selecting a subheading, the document will jump to that page within the e- book. o Hyperlinked Index – Use the Bookmarks Tab located on the left hand side of your screen to jump to the Interactive Index. Pick a word of interest and simply click on a page number. The e-book will automatically move to that page within the document. Use this great feature anytime you want to find a word quickly. o Active Links – Simply click on any link within the e-book and your Internet browser will open and take you to that webpage. o Download to a PDA or handheld device – Follow the directions in your PDA user manual to transfer files to your handheld devise. i Blessings In Adversity www.BlessingsInAdversity.com **Attention - Special N ote About This Project Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… Blessings In Adversity Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities Adversity Happens… Blessings Must be Discovered, Created and Developed This enhanced E-book version of Blessings In Adversity is normally priced at $2 9.95 — But now it is absolutely FREE and FREE to share with others as part of our Blessings In Adversity Campaign in support of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their mission of: "Finding cures. Saving children." Please Help Us Share This Important Message of Applied Practical Optimism Blessings In Adversity is an original work with components adapted from Stack The Logs! Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams and Carpe Aqualis! Seize the Wave- 7 Essential Surfing Skills to Revolutionize Your Business and Personal Life, both by Frank F. Lunn, President and CEO of Kahuna Business Group, Inc. with permission from the publisher, Kahuna Empowerment, Inc. This book is the exclusive property of the author, Frank F. Lunn and the publisher, Kahuna Empowerment, Inc. All author royalties and all publisher proceeds from the sale of this book, in any form, are committed to Kahuna Charitable Foundation – A Not For Profit Corporation, for donation to the work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their ongoing mission of: "Finding cures. Saving children." Visit www.KahunaCharitable.org for information. The publisher of Blessings In Adversity, Kahuna Empowerment, Inc., grants unlimited permission to freely distribute so long as the manuscript remains in its complete and original form without modification, including the signature line and author credits. This work may also be freely excerpted and quoted without adaptation as long as there is complete and unedited inclusion of the following signature line: Excerpted from Blessings In Adversity - Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and N ew Opportunities by Frank F. Lunn www.BlessingsInAdversity.com Visit www.KahunaPower.com or www.BlessingsInAdversity.com for more information and to send a free copy of this QuickSurf e-Book to someone who may need it. "We have the power to literally change the world…wherever we touch it!" ii Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… www.BlessingsInAdversity.com (c) 2005 Frank F. Lunn. Created in the United States of America. All rights reserved. Reviewer and content providers may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. This may be shared in its entirety by visiting www.BlessingsInAdversity.com. For information or opportunities related to this e-book, the Blessings In Adversity fundraising campaign for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Frank F. Lunn, The Kahuna Charitable Foundation or Kahuna Empowerment, Inc., please contact: Kahuna Empowerment, Incorporated 801 W. Chestnut Street, Suite C Bloomington, IL 61701 www.KahunaPower.com Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure the accuracy and completeness of information contained in this book, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. Any slights of people, places, or organizations are unintentional. First printing 2005 The following terms are the trademarked property of Frank F. Lunn and Kahuna Empowerment, Incorporated: Carpe Aqualis S.U.R.F. Strategy S.T.A.C.K. Strategy Stack The Logs! Terro-Phoria P.L.F. (Perspective Learning Forward) Surf-Titude Your World. Your Wave! Blessings in Adversity iii Blessings In Adversity www.BlessingsInAdversity.com KahunaPower QuickSurf ™ E-Book Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… Blessings In Adversity Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities Frank F. Lunn Author of Stack The Logs! – Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams and Carpe Aqualis! "Seize The Wave" – 7 Essential Surfing Skills to Revolutionize Your Business and Personal Life iv Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… www.BlessingsInAdversity.com Dedication "For Each Who Have Gone Before, We Focus On Those Yet To Come." Blessings In Adversity is dedicated to the loving memory of my special friends who are now blessing heaven Maya Pettit, Nick Rudolph and their loving families who certainly mourn their loss yet celebrate and share their lives as an inspiration and blessing to share with others. This is also dedicated to all of the children and families from past, present and future who have been or will be blessed by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and their ongoing mission of: "Finding cures. Saving children." Each one of you has a special story and is a real example of the practice of taking the best out of whatever life sends our way. I need to once again thank my family, my business partners and my awesome team who all support this endeavor with their creativity and their passion. Your support means the world to me and I am honored to serve with each of you. I humbly thank you! v Blessings In Adversity www.BlessingsInAdversity.com KahunaPower QuickSurf ™ E-Book Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… Blessings In Adversity Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities Table of Contents Dedication iv Preface vii Introduction: A New Perspective 1 Chapter 1: Discovering Blessings In Adversity 4 Chapter 2: Perspective Proximity 8 Chapter 3: The Power To Change Your Perspective (Reframing) 13 Chapter 4: Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities 17 Chapter 5: Use Failure as a Key Ingredient for Success 22 Chapter 6: Get What You Want in Life — S.T.A.C.K. The Logs! 26 Chapter 7: Opportunity Initiative – Discovering Blessings Camouflaged in Adversity 32 Chapter 8: Personal Responsibility – The Glue of Your Character 37 Chapter 9: When Life Gives You Waves, Learn to S.U.R.F. 42 Chapter 10: Adversity Happens — Blessings Must Be Discovered, Creaed and Developed 47 vi Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… www.BlessingsInAdversity.com Chapter 11: In Good Times, Enjoy. In Difficult Times, Grow. 52 Chapter 12: Weather Your Storms and Come Out Stronger 57 Chapter 13: Blessings In Adversity Life Skills – APPLIED Practical Optimism 62 Chapter 14: Benefits in Creating Blessings for Others 68 Chapter 15: Reflect on the Past. Hope for the Future. Take Action Now! 73 Afterword: Sharing Hope Through Our Blessings In Adversity Message 78 Special Thank You to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 79 About the Author 80 About Kahuna Empowerment, Inc. 81 Kahuna Charitable Foundation - Special Message By Jamie Atchison, Executive Director 82 Additional BONUS Offering • Surf-Titudes To Reflect On - Compilation of Quotes and Surf-Titudes to Add Perspective to Your Situation • Chapter 19 — Excerpted From Stack The Logs! - Building a Success Framework to Reach Your Dreams • Chapter 7 — Excerpted from Carpe Aqualis! "Seize the Wave" • Additional Success Resources and Tools (www.KahunaPower.com) vii Blessings In Adversity www.BlessingsInAdversity.com Preface September, 2005 Dear Friend, Thank you for taking this Blessings In Adversity journey with me. I want to be very up front with my motivation and my goals with this work. I want to change the world. Ok, that might seem a little brash, but realize that each of us changes the world everywhere we touch it. With our fingerprints everywhere, the world is not the same for us having been in it. The real question is, "Did we do any good with our opportunities?" I say my goal is to change the world and I mean it, but not in the way you might first think. When I say "I", it really means "we". I am a representative of my team of business partners and teammates. Together we are part of a larger group of peers and colleagues; people who believe and share our philosophies about the difference we all can make. I don't think I can create world peace or stop people from killing and hurting each other. What I do believe is that together we can forward a philosophy and mindset to teach and share with others that will make a world of difference. Blessings in Adversity is both an attitude and life-skills strategy for anyone regardless of age to use when they are experiencing difficulties and challenges. There is a story about a boy with his dad walking on a beach loaded with starfish that had just washed on to shore. Hundreds and maybe thousands of starfish certain to dry out and die. The little boy gleefully started to throw the starfish back into the water to give them new life saying, "Come on dad, let's make a difference." The father, who was certainly more wise and knowledgeable, as well as practical, smiled and with a little pity in his voice tried to reason with his boy saying, "Son, there are far too many for us to save. I know you mean well, but how can you really expect to make a difference?" Undaunted by his fathers superior logic and valid argument, the little boy picked up a starfish, looked viii Learn to Discover, Create and Develop… www.BlessingsInAdversity.com intently at it – then threw it into the water as far as he could. Smiling to his dad and with genuine pleasure he replied, "Well…we made a difference for that one!" We may not be able to change everyone or everything in this world, but together we can make a meaningful difference. If only one life is positively affected through this work, for that one person it will make a difference — and that will definitely be worth it! This QuickSurf E-book was created with the intent that it be passed on and freely shared as our mutual gift. Neither myself, nor the publisher, Kahuna Empowerment, Inc., will make any money from this work. We have other projects for that purpose. It is our sincere hope that you will share this with others who need to hear this message. Should we go forward to traditionally publish this work, all proceeds will go to the Kahuna Charitable Foundation to be donated to: "Finding cures. Saving children." in the Blessings In Adversity example of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Thank you for taking this journey with us and doing your part to change the world…wherever you touch it! Blessings to You! Frank F. Lunn On Behalf of the Entire Kahuna Empowerment Team Bloomington, Illinois "We have the power to literally change the world…wherever we touch it!" [...]... to keep on doing so.” -Abraham Lincoln www.BlessingsInAdversity.com 17 Blessings In Adversity Chapter 4 – Convert Challenges, Difficulties and Hardships Into Blessings and New Opportunities "Adversity doesn't necessarily build character, but it definitely reveals it!" Train Yourself to Discover Blessings in Every Situation A few months back, I was in a big hurry to get somewhere and running late as... ones in our lives My principal goal in writing and sharing this information is to fill a gap and void in our society I want to prepare you to not just take these situations lying down, but rather to attack them boldly to mine whatever good can come from them Yes, this is combat There is no honor to stoically accept what happens There is no valor in whining, moaning, sulking or complaining When something... happens to you creating adversity (death, job loss, financial disaster, spurned by someone you care about, divorce, work issues and so on) you have a fundamental choice The pain will be there regardless, but this approach will allow you to gain some measure of value for your pain In good times celebrate In hard times, grow! www.BlessingsInAdversity.com 7 Blessings In Adversity Blessings In Adversity is... different point of view or looking for outcomes other than originally intended It is easy to get trapped into linear thinking and fix our minds on a certain outcome Many times disappointments occur for our own good and benefit When things don't go our way, we are disappointed Reframing allows us the opportunity to reassess what opportunities might come from the outcome we received rather than the one intended... Developing An Applied Practical Optimism Mindset and Action Attitude Let me explain up front what Blessings In Adversity is not It is not just about cancer or death It is not about putting on a brave face when things go bad It is not about hiding your genuine feelings of anguish, grief, pain, discomfort or despair It is not about putting on a fake smile when you feel like crying It is not dealing with... something to gain He shared that adversity is actually a gift in disguise Although there will be many times this gift is unwelcome, there is always something to be gained if we maintain the right perspective Although I didn't fully grasp or apply this wisdom during his lifetime, his legacy is one that helped me survive and grow during the most difficult times of my life www.BlessingsInAdversity.com 5 Blessings... within the situation you are in, you can find and develop Blessings In Adversity Again, this is a vital skill-set Unfortunately, this is not taught or promoted within our society If your adversity is loss, like the tremendous loss of a child our campaign shares, then this proactive action after normal grieving and sorrow honors them as a tribute adding meaning and value to their precious lives Blessings... paper with writing or a book and touch your nose with it to see if you can make out anything from it You really can't focus on anything that close As you move it a little further away, it begins to come into focus and the words or images www.BlessingsInAdversity.com 9 Blessings In Adversity become clearer If you pull it an inch or so back, you will be able to read about a third Another few inches and it... myself at a time in my life when I desperately needed to believe it When I first put the words together on an index card, my confidence and belief in the statement was suspect at best The training I received both in the military and in business, conditioned me to not retreat from problems and difficulties Instead, this training increased my desire to do the opposite; to boldly attack and remain on the offensive... anything I can't handle I just wish that He didn't trust me so much." -Mother Teresa Putting Things in Perspective Our team initially started using "Blessings in Adversity" as a phrase to represent our annual September internet marketing fundraising campaign to raise awareness and money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital This is where my son Frankie was successfully treated for leukemia in 2002 . passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. This may be shared in its entirety by visiting www.BlessingsInAdversity.com. For information. P.L.F. (Perspective Learning Forward) Surf-Titude Your World. Your Wave! Blessings in Adversity iii Blessings In Adversity www.BlessingsInAdversity.com KahunaPower